Employers must provide respiratory equipment when which condition is present?

Employers are obligated to provide respiratory equipment when fumigant concentrations cannot be controlled. This requirement is a critical safety measure to protect workers from potential health hazards associated with exposure to harmful chemicals. When fumigant levels exceed safe thresholds or cannot be managed effectively, providing respiratory protection becomes essential to ensure that employees are not exposed to harmful concentrations that might lead to serious health issues.

In contrast, the other scenarios—keeping fumigant concentrations below the Permissible Exposure Limit, controlling fumigant concentrations at safe levels, or using non-toxic fumigants—indicate circumstances where risks are managed or minimized, allowing for a safer working environment without the immediate necessity for respiratory protection. Therefore, respiratory equipment is specifically mandated in situations where control measures fail, emphasizing the importance of safety precautions in environments dealing with hazardous substances.